In many sports, teams trade athletes, exchanging one player for another to strengthen their roster. The UFC has also had its share of trades, with one of the most shocking being Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren—a move that remains one of the biggest talking points in MMA history. Many still debate whether it was a fair exchange. Now, UFC legend Din Thomas has proposed another trade, suggesting that the UFC should swap top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev for rising PFL star Dakota Ditcheva.
Ankalaev is a top light heavyweight contender and is set to fight for the division’s title, while Ditcheva is a rising star and one of the most talked-about female fighters in MMA today. On paper, this proposed trade seems highly uneven, given Ankalaev’s position at the top of the UFC rankings and Ditcheva’s ongoing rise in the PFL.
However, according to Thomas, if MMA fans truly care about the sport, they should support trading Ditcheva to the UFC because she belongs there. He believes the UFC doesn’t need Ankalaev, as he won’t win a title and won’t be missed. In his view, Ankalaev would fit right into the PFL as just another fighter without much recognition.
“Trade her (Ditcheva) to the UFC. You know she belongs in the UFC. Listen, get rid of Ankalaev in the UFC… We (UFC) don’t need Ankalaev. You know what I am saying? He’s not getting a title. We don’t need this guy. Ankalaev will fit right in the PFL. Another guy nobody knows about,” Thomas said.
Big Ank catching strays for no reason dawg 😭 pic.twitter.com/zZTJ8eniqz
— UncChaelGlazer (@mmatalksonx) February 5, 2025
Would the UFC actually consider it? It’s highly unlikely—but it sure makes for an interesting discussion.
Alex Pereira Warns Magomed Ankalaev Ahead Of UFC 313 Showdown
Alex Pereira is both a fierce fighter and a master of humor. In the octagon, he’s cold and dangerous, while outside, he’s known for his hilarious social media skits. At UFC 313 in March, he plans to bring both sides against Magomed Ankalaev. After months of trash talk, the fight is finally set, and Pereira has made it clear—if Ankalaev doesn’t back up his words, he’ll be the next target of his jokes.
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“If [Ankalaev] doesn’t back up what he says, people have already seen me making fun of my other opponents. Sometimes I joke and stuff, but this is the guy I’m really going to make fun of,” Pereira said.
It will be interesting to see who comes out on top, as both fighters are in the best form of their careers. They’ve been dominating opponents one after another and are now set for the toughest test yet.
Also Read: Jiri Prochazka Sees Victory Over Alex Pereira To Show His UFC Mastery
